Saturday, June 20, 2015

The priest at my parish let it be known he was one of the priests who called for Nienstedt to step down. He also approached him personally. He also asked him personally about some of the allegations which are being discussed in the news this week - the archbishop wasn't able to answer him. My pastor said we may be hearing more embarrassing news in the days ahead.

The latest extinction - dubbed the sixth extinction by many scientists - is different because it has been mostly blamed on the misdeeds of humans. From pollution to deforestation to global warming, humans can be linked to most ills befalling the planet and its biodiversity.

"If you put together what we found plus other findings of other researchers, this seems to confirm unless we do something extremely different on the way we couple development and conservation, we may face a collapse in the next 40 or 50 years," Ceballos told CBS News. "We should take this new data as a big warning that what we are causing on biodiversity and the environment in general is going to affect us rather heavily." - ibid

“For human beings… to destroy the biological diversity of God’s creation; for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by causing changes in its climate, by stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; for human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air, and its life – these are sins”. For “to commit a crime against the natural world is a sin against ourselves and a sin against God”. - ¶8. Patriarch Bartholomew quote.

Unless they are hairy and their obesity is manly ... hairy fat guys - that's the literal translation of Bishop Tobin's term. I'm being silly of course - he was talking about slobs at Mass - and no, he wasn't approving of beachwear at Mass for the sleek and toned. How is it that we can never just accept a correction at face value without complaining about hurt feelings and concern for those poor souls who may be so offended they decide not to convert to Catholicism, or something. Whatever the ladies at Patheos said.

Here's the deal. Tobin was addressing men and women. Our pride gets hurt when someone says to us - in one way or another: you're a fat slob. You dress like a slut - or a slob. To put it nicely, hirsute flabmeisters spread out in the pew. We prefer it when people flatter our pride - we hate it when they insult it. The thing is - it's pride. It is our pride that is hurt. Not our dignity - but our pride. You say no? I say yes. Your pride is hurt.

Denial.

That's why some people - you - don't go to Mass, or feel out of place when they - you - do. When you are fat and don't have anything to wear or it is too hot to wear a coat. Although you may wonder, "Do I look like that fat slob over there?" And your friend answers, "look in the mirror" - and you do but still don't think you're that fat - pride comes to your defense. It's your pride that blinds you. It's your pride that is offended by your friend's response and so you punish him by silence - or tearing apart his honest response. Your pride was offended.

I think that's why people are upset with Bishop Tobin's remark.

Even thin people/women - because they have a fat mentality. Today men and women alike are so body conscious and so obsessed with weight, they have a fat mentality - manifested as revulsion. Fat people harbor a fat self-image even after they lose all of their weight. Their pride is flattered because they lost the weight - they like the new image, and accept praise for their achievement - but behind that which they pride themselves for, lurks the fat mentality - dormant behind the facade. Ready to spring to defense of the downtrodden fat slob; insulted, marginalized, discriminated against because obesity and sloven appearance has been traditionally associated with moral failures in temperance, gluttony, and sloth.

Of course some obese people have physical problems, or weight gain can be attributed to disease or medication. Likewise, there are issues of depression - a sign of that is 'letting oneself go'. I'm not talking about that stuff.

Picasso, Bather with beach ball

Puffed up.

I'm talking about our tendency to rejoice too much in that which gratifies the senses, taking pride in temporal and natural goods - and craving for more. Indulging our inordinate appetites. Our pride blinds us, and our sensibilities are easily offended when our weaknesses are exposed.

We grow become surfeited, grow fat, and spread out because we guide ourselves according to our pleasure - what pleases us. We neglect temperance - specifically any notion of mortification in that area. We excuse ourselves, making little of a tiny indulgence here or there, considering this or that indulgence - this drink or that desert - not so serious a matter. However, that is how we got fat and spread out - and we become more and more lured by pleasure and selfish self indulgence as the appetites grow ...

We spread out - we fall into acedia, weakness, hyper-sensitivity - and lose interest in spiritual matters - either all together in a great fall - or we gradually become harsh critics of those charged with guiding us - those who have the spiritual authority to correct and admonish. We assert ourselves in their place because they challenge our spiritual apathy ... and offend our pride.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

I am blown away by the attacks upon the Pope by 'faithful' and 'devout' Catholics - it is even worse now with the release of the Encyclical, Laudato si.

The mystic beauty of the Introduction is captivating and awe-inspiring... contemplative and deeply Franciscan ...

1. “L AUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”.1

2. This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life. This is why the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she “groans in travail” (Rom 8:22). We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters. - Source

Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said Dylann Roof, who police say opened fire and killed nine people during a prayer service at a historic African American church, was arrested during a traffic stop in Shelby, N.C., just after 11 a.m. Mullen said Roof “was cooperative with the officer who stopped him” in Shelby, about 250 miles from Charleston.

Six females and three males were killed and at least one other person was injured in Wednesday’s attack, which began about an hour after the assailant entered the church and observed the service, authorities said. “We believe this is a hate crime; that is how we are investigating it,” Mullen said. - WP

He should have known better. If women read that kind of language they will be very, very upset and worried and offended: "Does this pew make me look fat?" No hon, you are - err - just ... cranky.

That's part of the problem I think.

Who cares if Bishop Tobin candidly called out people who slide into Mass dressed as slobs, carrying water bottles and Starbucks cups, baring it all? Who cares? If you care, dress better. Leave your lunch at the door, get your coffee after Mass. Asking for some decorum at Mass is his prerogative. At least he doesn't use the F-word in his statements and posts - the way some Patheo-gens do. Nor was he talking about vaginae or camel lips - the way some Patheo-gens do.

Patheos women have to bitch about something, I suppose.

In fact - a couple Patheo-gens have written about what to wear to Mass and went so far as to complain about what people wear on the street ... don't mention yoga pants.

Personally, I don't care what people wear to Mass and I don't care what bishops say about it. It's so not going to keep me away from Mass. If you think Bishop Tobin's choice of words is going to drive people away from Mass or the Church, you ladies may be experiencing a mixed episode of some sort.

There are much bigger problems with bishops and their flocks - much, much more serious issues - have you heard of Bishops resigning lately? Oh that's right - you all weighed in on that as well.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

I received a very long letter with her signature – now in the Institute’s archives. In it we find written: the final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family. Don’t be afraid, she added, because anyone who operates for the sanctity of marriage and the family will always be contended and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue. And then she concluded: however, Our Lady has already crushed its head.

Talking also to John Paul II, you felt too that this was the crux, as it touches the very pillar of creation, the truth of the relationship between man and woman among the generations. If the founding pillar is touched the entire building collapses and we see this now, because we are at this point and we know it. And I’m moved when I read the best biographies of Padre Pio , on how this man was so attentive to the sanctity of marriage and the sanctity of the spouses, even with justifiable rigor on occasion. - Source

We are witnessing it - right here in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

So anyway ... I can't recall where it was, but I was reading comments on the Nienstedt resignation and an anonymous commenter said Courage Apostolate should be done away with - it's too soft on gays.

The problem here is homosexuality, and indeed the Purple Prelates/Lavender Mafia are promoting what they claim to be against. The Church needs to take a stronger stance against homosexuality, starting with the group "Courage." It seems that the Lavender Mafia is also involved with "Courage." The name itself signifies a soft stance towards the homosexual condition itself. At least change the name to something like "Same-Sex Attraction Anonymous." Naming the group "Courage" is an insult to many people, especially saints like St. Agatha or St. Joan of Arc.

Yup.

A bit off topic, but I was reading another post by a woman who appears to be concerned about the Pope's new encyclical - she deeply admires Rick Santorum, who feels the pope has no business meddling in climate change issues. Anyway, she appears to be against any notion that man is capable of destroying God's creation, stating:

"... 'Supposing the Pope looked up and saw a cloud and said 'It's going to rain', would that be bound to happen?' 'Oh, yes, Father.' 'But supposing it didn't?' He thought a moment and said, "I suppose it would be sort of raining spiritually, only we were too sinful to see it.'" - Fr. Mowbray, Brideshead Revisited

Monday, June 15, 2015

The announcement came today. I expected it would one day - but not so soon. I never expected Bishop Piche's resignation along with the Archbishop's. This is devastating news - the resignation of a prelate, a father, the chief shepherd of an unsteady flock. Like him or not - he has been the leader of the flock in Minneapolis-St. Paul. A casualty now of scandals and lies and misdemeanors and abuse and weakness and sin and not knowing how to handle scandals and lies and misdemeanors and abuse and weakness and ...

Archbishop John Nienstedt said he leaves ‘with a clear conscience.’ - Read more here.

The readings from today's Mass...Behold, now is a very acceptable time;behold, now is the day of salvation.We cause no one to stumble in anything,in order that no fault may be found with our ministry;on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselvesas ministers of God, through much endurance,in afflictions, hardships, constraints,beatings, imprisonments, riots,labors, vigils, fasts;by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness,in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech,in the power of God;with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left;through glory and dishonor, insult and praise.We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful;as unrecognized and yet acknowledged;as dying and behold we live;as chastised and yet not put to death;as sorrowful yet always rejoicing;as poor yet enriching many;as having nothing and yet possessing all things. - 2 Cor. 6:1-10+ + +Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said,An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.When someone strikes you on your right cheek,turn the other one to him as well.If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,hand him your cloak as well.Should anyone press you into service for one mile,go with him for two miles.Give to the one who asks of you,and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” - Mt. 5: 38-42But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
The fact remains it is devastating news. The Archdiocese has filed bankruptcy, properties are up for sale, venerable parish churches have been closed - one from my childhood became a mosque. This is devastating news ...

By the rivers of Babylon
there we sat and wept,
remembering Zion;
on the poplars that grew there
we hung up our harps.

For it was there that they asked us,
our captors, for songs,
our oppressors, for joy.
"Sing to us," they said,
"one of Zion's songs."

O how could we sing
the song of the Lord
on alien soil?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!

O let my tongue
cleave to my mouth
if I remember you not,
if I prize not Jerusalem
above all my joys!

Remember, O Lord,
against the sons of Edom
the day of Jerusalem;
when they said: "Tear it down!
Tear it down to its foundations!"

O Babylon, destroyer,
he is happy who repays you
the ills you brought on us.
He shall seize and shall dash
your children on the rock!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

People like Jason have been classified as ‘‘transabled’’ — feeling like imposters in their bodies, their arms and legs in full working order.

“We define transability as the desire or the need for a person identified as able-bodied by other people to transform his or her body to obtain a physical impairment,” says Alexandre Baril, a Quebec born academic who will present on “transability” at this week’s Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Ottawa.

Never heard of him or the apostolate? It's not the typical spin-off from the Medjugorje-inspired private revelations once promoted by publishers such as the now-defunct Rhiele Foundation, but it appears to be extremely well organized and possibly even rather profitable. Bleeding Padre Pio images, icons dripping myrrh, 3 days darkness literature... all available at the online store. Their promos show photos of Pope John Paul II apparently giving his blessing to one of the icons - which in cult promos means he approved of everything to do with the priest, the stigmata, the visions, the messages-locutions, and the 3 days darkness survival plan.

Back in March, the Diocese of Trenton issued a statement advising the faithful the organization is not recognized by the Catholic Church - and according to the Capuchin Father General in Rome - there is no stigmatist by the name of Fr. David in the OFM Capuchin Order - the reason for that - it appears he has his own religious community.

Diocese of Trenton Statement.

It has been brought to the attention of the Diocese of Trenton that an organization called “Mary’s Way Worldwide Apostolate” is operating in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Brick Township, within the Diocese of Trenton.
This organization advertises “miracles” attributed to an alleged Capuchin Franciscan “Fr. David” and is soliciting money. This “Franciscan” claims to have the stigmata or wounds of Christ. This organization claims visions of and allocutions from the Blessed Mother Mary under various titles by its members. It also claims some connection to St. Padre Pio.
The Superior of the Capuchin Franciscan Order in Rome has been contacted and has responded that no such stigmatist with the name “Fr. David” exists in his order. This organization has no official connection with the Roman Catholic Church nor has it ever received any official approval or recognition by the Holy See.
The Diocese of Trenton only recently learned of its existence and operation and has never given its approval or recognition to “Mary’s Way Worldwide Apostolate.” It has no relationship to or association with the Diocese of Trenton.
Because it uses Roman Catholic vocabulary, images and elements of doctrine, “Mary’s Way Worldwide Apostolate” has caused confusion among some devout and well-intentioned members of the faithful. The Diocese of Trenton has received complaints of fraudulent activity and wishes to notify Roman Catholics that “Mary’s Way Worldwide Apostolate” is not an officially approved or recognized Roman Catholic organization. The complaints have been submitted to law enforcement officials in Ocean County.Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M. Bishop of Trenton

Veritatis Splendor

About Me

... My idea of what I am is falsified by my preoccupation about what I do. And my illusions about myself are bred by contagion from the illusions of other men. We all seek to emulate one anothers imagined greatness....If I do not know who I am, it is because I think I am the sort of person everyone around me wants me to be. I have asked myself whether I wanted to become what everybody else seems to want to become... only to realize that I do not admire what everyone else seems to admire. I have only thus begun to live after all... But it is very late. - Adapted from a quote by Thomas Merton

Holy Face of Jesus

Show us your face and we shall be saved. "Each soul is the object of My special love. That is why I am so grateful to those who are resourceful and bringing back sinners to Me. Keep this in mind then. I gave My life for them in the most atrocious torture, for these poor beloved ones. A humble repentance, and they are already on My heart. So speak gently to them. Speak with tenderness. A brusque remark could drive them farther away." - He and I

Prayer to St. Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.